Perbandingan Pendekatan Konstruktivisme antara Model Pembelajaran Discovery Learning dan Reception Learning terhadap Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis dan Hasil Belajar Peserta Didik Kelas X SMA Negeri 3 Takalar

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perbedaan yang signifikan kemampuan berfikir kritis dan hasil belajar peserta didik kelas X SMA Negeri 3 Takalar dengan menggunakan model pembelajaran Discovery Learning dan Reception Learning. Metode penelitian yang digunakan yaitu Quasi Eksperimen Design dengan menggunakan desain Nonequivalent Control Group Design, dengan jumlah populasi yaitu seluruh kelas X SMA Negeri 3 Takalar. Teknik pengambilan sampel dalam penelitian ini yaitu Simple Random Sampling yaitu kelas X1 sebagai kelas eksperimen dengan jumlah peserta didik sebanyak 36 orang dan kelas X5 sebagai kelas kontrol dengan jumlah peserta didik sebanyak 34 orang. Instrumen pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah tes untuk mengetahui kemampuan berpikir kritis dan hasil belajar peserta didik dengan menggunakan model pembelajaran Discovery Learning dan Reception Learning. Data tersebut kemudian dianalisis dengan menggunakan analisis deskripsi dan inferensial. Analisis deskripsi untuk mengetahui deskripsi kemampuan berpikir kritis dan hasil belajar peserta didik dengan menggunakan model pembelajaran Discovery Learning dan Reception Learning serta analisis inferensial untuk mengetahui perbedaan yang signifikan dari rata-rata kemampuan berfikir kritis dan hasil belajar peserta didik yang menggunakan model pembelajaran Discovery Learning dan Reception Learning. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian untuk kemampuan berpikir kritis diperoleh nilai sign (0,000 0,05) maka H0 diterima artinya tidak terdapat perbedaan antara hasil belajar peserta didik yang diajar dengan model pembelajaran Discovery Learning dan Reception Learning. Penelitian ini diharapkan perlu dilakukan penelitian serupa dengan mengembangkan pendekatan dari variabel yang lain dan dapat dilakukan penelitian yang sama tetapi dengan materi yang lain

Sexual dysfunction in men after high energy pelvic fractures: Narrative review of targeted literature

Pelvic fractures represents high energy trauma with associated other organ injuries including intra-abdominal injuries, haemorrhage and extremity injuries. Anatomical location of genitourinary structures makes them vulnerable to injury with pelvic fracture. Incidence of sexual dysfunction varies in literature with 5% incidence of dysfunction in patients without urethral injury and 42% with urethral injuries. Hence in pelvic fracture, erectile dysfunction may be due to neurogenic, vascular, corporal and psychogenic injury. In this narrative review of targeted English literature from all level of evidences, which is written and supervised by experienced specialized orthopaedic, trauma and urology surgeons who were among the pioneers of conducting pelvis fracture management workshops in the country, we aim to describe the mechanism that can lead to erectile dysfunction after pelvic fracture, assessment principles, decision-making and preoperative planning and indications of operative managements

Ovitrap use in epidemiology study of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Kuta Alam sub-district Banda Aceh, Indonesia

A study on the mosquitoes Aedes spp. has been conducted in Kuta Alam Sub-district, Banda Aceh, to find out the percentage and distribution of positive ovitrap with eggs of Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus, based on location of ovitrap, level of rainfall as well as different landuse of settlement areas. Sampling was conducted by setting up ovitrap monthly, from January to December 2010 in settlement area that have more trees versus less trees, both indoor and outdoor. Data of the ovitrap percentage that was proved to be positive with eggs of A. aegypti and A. albopictus was analized using Student T-Test. The study revealed that rainfall value did not significantly affect (P0.05) the percentage of positive A. aegypti and  A. albopictus ovitraps and neither  did the location of ovitrap (indoor versus outdoor). The settlement areas with more trees have significantly higher percentage of ovitraps containing A. albopictus than areas with less trees, but not significant for A. aegypti (P0.05). It was suggested that rainfall and location of ovitrap did not influence the number of ovitrap containing Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus eggs, while settlement landuse  influenced significantly the percentage of positive ovitraps for Aedes albopictus, but not for Aedes. aegypti. Between two villages in Kuta Alam sub-district, it was found out that Gampong Beurawe was dominated by Aedes albopictus while Gampong Kuta Alam by Aedes aegypti. Overall, the sensitivity of ovitrap in Kuta Alam subdistrict was 83,7%. The usage of ovitrap is thus recommended for monitoring of Aedes spp. control program

Epigenetic-Mediated Antimicrobial Resistance:Host versus Pathogen Epigenetic Alterations

Since the discovery of antibiotics, humans have been benefiting from them by decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with bacterial infections. However, in the past few decades, misuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of bacterial infections resistant to multiple drugs, a significant health concern. Bacteria exposed to inappropriate levels of antibiotics lead to several genetic changes, enabling them to survive in the host and become more resistant. Despite the understanding and targeting of genetic-based biochemical changes in the bacteria, the increasing levels of antibiotic resistance are not under control. Many reports hint at the role of epigenetic modifications in the bacterial genome and host epigenetic reprogramming due to interaction with resistant pathogens. Epigenetic changes, such as the DNA-methylation-based regulation of bacterial mutation rates or bacteria-induced histone modification in human epithelial cells, facilitate its long-term survival. In this review article, epigenetic changes leading to the development of antibiotic resistance in clinically relevant bacteria are discussed. Additionally, recent lines of evidence focusing on human host epigenetic changes due to the human–pathogen interactions are presented. As genetic mechanisms cannot explain the transient nature of antimicrobial resistance, we believe that epigenetics may provide new frontiers in antimicrobial discovery.</p

Epigenetic Mediated Antimicrobial Resistance:Host versus Pathogen Epigenetic Alterations

Since the discovery of antibiotics, humans have been benefiting from them by decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with bacterial infections. However, in the past few decades, misuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of bacterial infections resistant to multiple drugs, a significant health concern. Bacteria exposed to inappropriate levels of antibiotics lead to several genetic changes, enabling them to survive in the host and become more resistant. Despite the understanding and targeting of genetic-based biochemical changes in the bacteria, the increasing levels of antibiotic resistance are not under control. Many reports hint at the role of epigenetic modifications in the bacterial genome and host epigenetic reprogramming due to interaction with resistant pathogens. Epigenetic changes, such as the DNA-methylation-based regulation of bacterial mutation rates or bacteria-induced histone modification in human epithelial cells, facilitate its long-term survival. In this review article, epigenetic changes leading to the development of antibiotic resistance in clinically relevant bacteria are discussed. Additionally, recent lines of evidence focusing on human host epigenetic changes due to the human–pathogen interactions are presented. As genetic mechanisms cannot explain the transient nature of antimicrobial resistance, we believe that epigenetics may provide new frontiers in antimicrobial discovery

The effectiveness of bismuth breast shielding with protocol optimization in CT scans of the thorax

Background: Numerous techniques had been proposed to reduce radiation exposure in computed tomography (CT) including the use of radiation shielding. Objective: This study aims to evaluate efficacy of using a bismuth breast shield and optimized scanning parameter to reduce breast absorbed doses from CT thorax examination. Methods: Five protocols comprising the standard CT thorax clinical protocol (CP1) and four modified protocols (CP2 to CP5) were applied in anthropomorphic phantom scans. The phantom was configured as a female by placing a breast component on the chest. The breast component was divided into four quadrants, where 2 thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD-100) were inserted into each quadrant to measure the absorbed dose. The bismuth shield was placed over the breast component during CP4 and CP5 scans. Results: The pattern of absorbed doses in each breast and quadrant were approximately the same for all protocols, where the 4th quadrant > 3rd quadrant > 2nd quadrant > 1st quadrant. The mean absorbed dose value in CP3 was reduced to almost 34% of CP1's mean absorbed dose. It was reduced even lower to 15% of CP1's mean absorbed dose when the breast shield was used in CP5. Conclusion: This study showed that CT radiation exposure on the breast could be reduced by using a bismuth shield and low tube potential protocol without compromising the image quality

Analysis on Preparation, Application, and Recycling of Activated Carbon to Aid in COVID-19 Protection

Activated carbon (AC) is an extremely porous carbonaceous adsorptive substance which has a rigid carbon matrix with high surface area and broad functional groups. The structure is connected by chemical bonds; arranged irregularly, generating a highly porous arrangement of corners, crevices, claps, and cracks between the carbon layers. Activated carbons are produced high-temperature and chemical activation of waste biomass. The pores in the lattice network of activated carbon permit the removal of impurities from gaseous and liquid medium through adsorption. At present, the COVID-19 disease is the prime concern around the whole world because of its exponential infections and death rate. There is no medicine for this virus, and protection is the only remedy to survive from this contagious disease. Using a face mask is one of the best methods to get rid of COVID-19. The mask combined with activated carbon can be beneficial for adsorbing and disinfecting the virus as it is the versatile adsorbent for the elimination of the organic, inorganic, and pathogenic contaminants

Cigarette Smoke Initiates Oxidative Stress-Induced Cellular Phenotypic Modulation Leading to Cerebral Aneurysm Pathogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: Cigarette smoke exposure (CSE) is a risk factor for cerebral aneurysm (CA) formation, but the molecular mechanisms are unclear. Although CSE is known to contribute to excess reactive oxygen species generation, the role of oxidative stress on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic modulation and pathogenesis of CAs is unknown. The goal of this study was to investigate whether CSE activates a NOX (NADPH oxidase)-dependent pathway leading to VSMC phenotypic modulation and CA formation and rupture. APPROACH AND RESULTS: In cultured cerebral VSMCs, CSE increased expression of NOX1 and reactive oxygen species which preceded upregulation of proinflammatory/matrix remodeling genes (MCP-1, MMPs [matrix metalloproteinase], TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB, KLF4 [Kruppel-like factor 4]) and downregulation of contractile genes (SM-α-actin [smooth muscle α actin], SM-22α [smooth muscle 22α], SM-MHC [smooth muscle myosin heavy chain]) and myocardin. Inhibition of reactive oxygen species production and knockdown of NOX1 with siRNA or antisense decreased CSE-induced upregulation of NOX1 and inflammatory genes and downregulation of VSMC contractile genes and myocardin. p47phox-/- NOX knockout mice, or pretreatment with the NOX inhibitor, apocynin, significantly decreased CA formation and rupture compared with controls. NOX1 protein and mRNA expression were similar in p47phox-/- mice and those pretreated with apocynin but were elevated in unruptured and ruptured CAs. CSE increased CA formation and rupture, which was diminished with apocynin pretreatment. Similarly, NOX1 protein and mRNA and reactive oxygen species were elevated by CSE, and in unruptured and ruptured CAs. CONCLUSIONS: CSE initiates oxidative stress-induced phenotypic modulation of VSMCs and CA formation and rupture. These molecular changes implicate oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of CAs and may provide a potential target for future therapeutic strategies

Cross linked Core-shell Silica Nanoparticles Mechanical, Structural & Viscoelastic Behavior

Shell cross-linked core-shell nanoparticles (SCCSNs) were prepared via miniemulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of silane modified inorganic silica. The polystyrene (PS) shell of 69.8% in weight fraction was cross-linked using divinylbenzene. SCCSNs were spherical with a diameter distribution from 37 to 96 nm determined by dynamic light scattering. Dynamic rheology of SCCSNs suspended in PS/toluene solution was compared with that of suspensions of naked silica. The critical strain for onset of rheological nonlinearity was independent of SCCSN concentration above a concentration threshold, which differs from the silica suspensions. Linear dynamic rheological investigation revealed that SCCSN suspensions with a PS volume fraction of 25% were fluid-like at low particle concentrations while suspensions containing 4.5 vol% SCCSNs formed a gel-like structure. On the contrary, the silica suspensions with 20.0 vol% PS underwent a fluid-to-solid-like transition with increasing silica concentration. Reasons for the different rheological behaviors of the naked silica and SCCSN suspensions are discussed

Predicting long-term type 2 diabetes with support vector machine using oral glucose tolerance test

Diabetes is a large healthcare burden worldwide. There is substantial evidence that lifestyle modifications and drug intervention can prevent diabetes, therefore, an early identification of high risk individuals is important to design targeted prevention strategies. In this paper, we present an automatic tool that uses machine learning techniques to predict the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Data generated from an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used to develop a predictive model based on the support vector machine (SVM). We trained and validated the models using the OGTT and demographic data of 1,492 healthy individuals collected during the San Antonio Heart Study. This study collected plasma glucose and insulin concentrations before glucose intake and at three time-points thereafter (30, 60 and 120 min). Furthermore, personal information such as age, ethnicity and body-mass index was also a part of the data-set. Using 11 OGTT measurements, we have deduced 61 features, which are then assigned a rank and the top ten features are shortlisted using minimum redundancy maximum relevance feature selection algorithm. All possible combinations of the 10 best ranked features were used to generate SVM based prediction models. This research shows that an individual’s plasma glucose levels, and the information derived therefrom have the strongest predictive performance for the future development of T2DM. Significantly, insulin and demographic features do not provide additional performance improvement for diabetes prediction. The results of this work identify the parsimonious clinical data needed to be collected for an efficient prediction of T2DM. Our approach shows an average accuracy of 96.80% and a sensitivity of 80.09% obtained on a holdout set